Born on August 29: Elizabeth Fraser, Massive Attack and Cocteau Twins' divine voice
She was born in the small village of Grangemouth in Scotland and is celebrating her 61st birthday, on the road, with Massive Attack
She founded the Cocteau Twins with her friend (and future partner) Robin Guthrie in 1981. She also collaborated on the magnificent This Mortal Coil project comprised of a handful of artists from the English label 4AD, including Dead Can Dance and the too little-known Colourbox. An enchanted interlude, the collective only recorded three albums between 1984 and 1991. But their delicate and subtle mark remains indelible. Just like that of the Cocteau Twins in the end!
After she separated from Robin Guthrie, Elizabeth Fraser had an intense but short-lived love affair with Jeff Buckley. The American artist probably kept the heartbreaking version of his song "Song To The Siren" transcended by Elizabeth in 1983 in the back of his memories! This was the very first testimony of This Mortal Coil. The two lovebirds recorded a duet together called "All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun" that, up until now, no one has properly brought out to light, even though there is an acoustic version, with Elizabeth's laugh, that can be heard on YouTube...
If you're lucky enough to be in the United States this fall, you will be able to hear her on stage with Massive Attack (see dates below). It's not a surprise to find her in such good company because she now lives in Bristol, the anchor point of the collective, and has already recorded several times with them, notably the album "Mezzanine" (1998) for which she co-wrote some flagship tracks like "Teardrop" and the epic "Black Milk".
In concert with Massive Attack :
October 18 : Roxy - Atlanta (USA)
October 18 : Mana Lynwood - Miami with a.o. Juan Atkins, Justice and DJ Shadow
October 23 : The Anthem - Washington (USA)
October 24 : Roadrunner - Boston (USA)
October 25 : Stadium- Forest Hills (USA)
(Mh with AK - Photo : Etienne Tordoir)
Photo : Elizabeth Fraser with the Cocteau Twins on stage at the Vooruit in Ghent (Belgium) on April 1, 1985 (© Etienne Tordoir)
